Three Leeds United transfer targets came back to haunt them in midweek as they led Brighton to a 4-0 victory at their expense.

Connor Goldson, Jamie Murphy and Anthony Knockaert have all been linked to the Whites in varying circumstances, and the result could have been very different had the trio been lining up for Leeds.

Here is a look at how the trio could have ended up at Leeds and where they would have improved the side...

Connor Goldson

Defender Connor Goldson has made the step up from League One to the Championship with great effect, a reminder of the talent lower down the league ladder. Leeds expressed interest in signing him last summer, with the Shropshire Star reporting Shrewsbury Town's chief executive confirming there had been an enquiry from Leeds, but after hearing their valuation of the player, they did not want to pay up.

He moved a month later to Brighton for a fee described as £600,000 plus by the Shropshire Star, and has kicked on after a tough start at the club. With Leeds' defenders struggling badly against Brighton and the Seagulls looking solid, it looks simple to say now that they should have paid up.

Jamie Murphy

Failing to sign Jamie Murphy was perhaps one of Leeds' biggest yet forgotten errors of the summer. The Scotsman was prolific for Sheffield United last season and was linked to Elland Road in a swap deal for Billy Sharp by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Leeds elected not to pay the Blades' asking price, and Brighton paid up £2 million to do a deal, the Sheffield Star reported. This was a sizeable fee but one Leeds could have got at a discount, considering they sold Billy Sharp to United anyway, and then spent £1 million on Jordan Botaka, who has started only two league games. The 26-year-old has netted six league goals for Brighton, a figure which would make him Leeds' second highest scorer.

Anthony Knockaert

Anthony Knockaert made the biggest impact against Leeds in midweek, getting on the scoresheet in the comprehensive victory. His links with Leeds were not so recent, but perhaps he came closest of any to signing for the Whites.

He signed for Brighton for around £2 million in January from Belgian side Anderlecht, after previously impressing with Leicester, and is exactly the type of game changing winger Leeds need. He was available on a free last summer after leaving Leicester.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
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